Labeling machine



J1me 17, 1941. Q EVERETT 2,245,659

LABELING MACHINE 1 I Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR N BY2.3% (MM ATTORNEY 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 I A. C. EVERETT LABELING MACHINEFiled April 4, 1940 INVENTOR M; C m

BY ATTORNEY June 17,1941.

June 17, 1941.

/ A. c. EVERETT LABELING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR BAA-.1 clam, m BY MY (Au/m ATTORNEY June 17, 1941. A; c.EVERETT LABELING MACHINE Filed April 4, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTORame. CLMQLL L! ATTORNEY I Patented June 17, 1941 .x 4 & 2,245,659 vArthur Clarence Everett, Boston, Mass, assignor to Pneumatic ScaleCorporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass, a corporation of MassachusettsApplication April 4, 1940, Serial No. 327,750

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a labeling machine. One object of theinvention is to provide a novel and improved labeling machine adapted toeffect the simultaneous application of a plurality of labels to aplurality of containers and a in which provision is made for conveyingthe containers to be labeled in a novel, economical and efficient mannerinto operative and accurately registered relation to the label applyingmechanism.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and superiorlabeling machine of'the character above specified, in which provision ismade for transferring the containers from a supply conveyer to thelabeling machine conveyer in definite spaced relation and at higherspeeds In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of theinvention, Fig. 1 is a plan view of a labeling machine embodying thepresent invention; Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the machine shown inFig. 1; Fig. 3 is an end view of the machine, partly in cross-section asviewed from the line 3--3 of Fig. 2; Figs. 4 and 5 are front and sideelevational views, respectively, of the labeling machine illustrating anintermittent driving mechanism to be referred to; Figs, 6 and 7 aredetail views in plan and side elevation respectively of a portion of theintermittent driving mechanism shown in Figs. 4 and 5; Figs. 8 and 9 aredetail views in front and side elevation respectively, of a clutch forcontrolling the operation of-the labeling machine, Fig. 9 being shown incross-section; Fig. 10 is a detail plan view of a container registeringdevice, to be referred to; Fig. 11 is a front elevation of a portion ofa conveyer for supporting the top of the containers to be referred to;Fig. 12 is a detail view in cross-section of a portion of the mechanismshown in Fig. 11; Fig. 13 is a view in cross=section taken on the linel3-l3 of Fig. 11, and Figs. 14 and 15 are detail perspective views ofportions of the mechanism shown in Fig. 11.

Referring now to the drawings, in general, the

present invention is illustrated as embodied in,

a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneous applicationof a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers and includes anintermittently operated conveyer adapted to convey the containers to andfrom intermittently operated label applying devices forming a part ofthe labeling machine.

One feature of the present invention contemplates a novel and'improvedcontainer feeding mechanism adapted to transfer the containers from asupply conveyer to the intermittently op- .erated conveyer in definitespaced relation for subsequent operations to be performed and to providea continuous iiow of containers in such spaced relation onto saidintermittently operated conveyer. -In the preferred embodiment of theinvention, the spaced containers are transferred onto the intermittentlyoperated conveyer at a reduced rate of speed while the latter is at restand are kept in motion thereon by the present feeding mechanism untilsuch intermittently operated conveyer is started, and until the latterattains the speed of the containers being delivered by the feedingmechanism, whereupon the intermittently operated conveyer will operateto convey the containers at an increased rate of speed so that at notime during the transferring operation does the container come to rest.In this manner, the sudden shock or jar incident to transferring thecontainers from a dead stop as heretofore practiced is eliminated and asmooth and uninterrupted flow of the containers is assured. This featureis of particular advantage when embodied in a labeling machine adaptedfor high speed operation and capable of simultaneous operation upon aplurality of containers, since, the usual method heretofore employed intransferring the containers from a dead stop on the supply conveyer ontothe intermittent conveyer during the idle or rest period necessitated arelatively rapid movement for the transfer, and, as a result, containerswere frequently jammed or broken, and the operating parts were subjectedto undue strain and wear requiring frequent replacement. The presentcontainer feeding device is capable of smooth and continuous operationat relatively high speeds, and in practice, speeds up to containers perminute have been attained, without undue strain upon the operating.parts.-

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container feedingmechanism is operated in timed relation to the intermittent operation ofthe labeling machineconveyer and the latter is preferably arranged to bemoved at a mechanism during the entire cycle of operation of theintermittently operated conveyer, the latter is arranged to move thecontainers at a faster I 2,245,650 speed equal to a multiple of greaterthan the,

conveyer is intermittently driven in timed relation to and incooperation with the-intermitrate of speed during the container movingportion of its cycle of operation. For example, in the illustratedembodiment of the invention, the intermittently operated conveyer isdesigned to be moved during one-half cycle of operation and to be idleor at rest during the remaining halfof its cycle of operation, and thespaced con-' tainers are arranged to befed into the machine continuouslyduring the entire cycle of the machine. The spaced containers arearranged to be moved a predetermined distance, for example, ten inches,during each cycle of operation, and while the intermittently operatedconveyer travels at a speed such as to move the containers ten inchesduring One half cycle of operation, the

tently operated conveyer upon which the containers are fed and isprovided with a plurality of equally spaced individual presser membersarranged in alignment with and adapted to engage with the top of thecontainers as they are fed into the machine. In the illustratedembodiment of the invention, provision is made for simultaneouslyreleasing a plurality, and as herein shown, two presser members intoengagement with their respective containers at the time when the speedof the presser conveyer equals the speed of the containers being fed orJustas the continuously operated container feeding apparatus may deliverthe containers the same distance, ten inches, at one half the speed ofthe intermittently operated conveyer. Likewise, while the continuouslyoperated container feeding apparatus moves the containers a distance of,for example, five inches over the top of the intermittently operatedconveyer during one half cycle of operation, the latter when it picks upthe movement of the containers fed thereon, will move the latter adistance, for example, of ten inches during its half cycle of operation.In the operation of the apparatus, during each cycle of operation, acontainer, or groupof containers, is fed onto the intermittentlyoperated conveyer by the continuously operated container feedingapparatus and when a new cycle of operation is initiated to start theintermittently operated conveyer in motion, the timing of the mechanismis so coordinated that when the containers arrive at a predeterminedposition upon the intermittently operated conveyer (while the latter isin motion), corresponding to the instant when the speed of theintermittently operated conveyer equals the speed of the containersbeing fed, the intermittently operated conveyer will pick up the motionof the containers and will thereafter operate to convey the latter awayfrom the continuously operated feeding apparatus at an increased rate ofspeed. In practice, and in the preferred embodiment of the invention,two containers are fed onto the intermittently moving conveyer duringeach cycle of operation of the latter to supply a container to each oftwo labeling stations. If more than two containers are to be labeled ata time, a corresponding number of containers will be moved onto theintermittent conveyer and the timing of the mechanism and the speeds ofthe conveyers related accordingly. In this manner the containers, beingin motion when they are received upon the labeling machine conveyer, andthis motion being merely increased when the latter conveyer starts itsintermittent movement, are not subject to the sudden shock which wouldbe experienced incident to transferring the containers from a positionof rest.

Another feature of the present invention contemplates the provision of anovel and improved presser conveyer adapted to travel along with andsupport the tops of the containers during their travel through themachine. The presser intermittently operated conveyer picks up themotion of the containers fed onto the latter, as will be described.

Referring now to the drawings, the present invention is embodied in alabeling machine indiv along the conveyer and which is adapted to move 7the containers onto the intermittent labeling ma? chine conveyer indefinite spaced relation for registration with the multiple labelingunits of the labeling machine. Provision is also preferably made forseparating the containers as they are delivered in contiguous relationbythe supply conveyer It by mechanism including a star wheel 22 which isadapted to release the containers l4 successively in timed relation tothe movement of the container engaging arms 20, as will be described.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 2, the containers are delivered to themachine upon an elongated conveyer belt 24, the delivery end only beingshown herein. The containers are then transferred diagonally betweenguides 25, 28 to the relatively short supply conveyer 16 arranged todeliver the containers in timed relation to be reveyed around thiscurved portion, they will be separated sufliciently to permit one of theteeth 26 to enter, as clearly shown in Fig, 1.

The conveyers l6 and 24 are arranged to be driven continuously from themain driving mechanism of the labeling machine, indicated generally at32, which is arranged to drive a clutch shaft 34 through connectionsincluding pulleys 36, 3B, belt 40 and pinion 42 which meshes with a gear44 fast on the shaft 34. The shaft 34 is connected to a short shaft 46by a chain 44 running over sprockets 50, 52. The short shaft 46 isprovided with a bevel gear 54 which cooperates with a bevel gear 56 fastupon a crossshaft 58. The conveyer belt 24 which runs over a conveyersprocket 60, at one end, is driven from the cross-shaft 58 by a chain 62which runs over sprockets 64, 6B, the latter being fast upon theconveyer sprocket shaft 68. The conveyer belt I6, which runs overconveyer sprockets I0, 12 is arranged to be driven from the crossshaft58 through connections including a sprocket 14 connected by a chain 16to a sprocket 18 loosely mounted upon a rocker shaft 80. A seeondsprocket 82, formed integrally with the sprocket I6, is connected by achain 84 to a sprocket 86, the latter being fast upon the conveyersprocket shaft 88. Thus the supply conveyers I6 and 24 -are continuouslydriven during the operation of the machine to deliver the containerspast the star wheel 22 andinto the path of the container engaging arms20 of the container feeding mechanism. Provision is made for driving thestar wheel 22 continuously and in timed relation to the movement of thecontainer feeding mechanism, as will be described.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention, the container feedingmechanism I8 comprises a duplicate set ofchains 90, 92, one disposedabove the other,-upon which the arms. 20 are mounted, and which arearranged to run over similar sprockets 94, 96 fast upon vertical shafts98, I respectively. The chains 90, ,82 are arranged to be drivencontinuously through connections from the clutch shaft 34 including apinion I02 loosely mounted upon the shaft 34 and adapted to be engagedby the usual clutch mechanism I04 including a shifter I06 fast on therocker shaft 80'and which is. operable by the handle I08. The pinion I02cooperates with a gear IIO fastupon the main cam shaft III of themachine which in turn meshes with a gear H5 fast upon anintermediateshaft H2. The intermediate shaft H2 is also provided with asecond gear II4 normally in operative engagement with the gear I I5 andwhich forms part of an automatic clutch throwout mechanism, see Fig. 9,as will be hereinafter more fully described. The second gear II4, asshown herein, meshes with a. gear H6 fast upon a short shaft II8suitably journaled-in the machine frame. The short shaft H8 is alsoprovided with a'bevel pinion I20 which cooperates with a bevel gear I22fast upon the lower end of the vertical shaft The star wheel 22 isarranged to be driven continuously and in timed relation to the conveyerchains 90, 92 through connections from the lower end of the verticalshaft 98 and as herein illustrated, see Figs. 1, 2 and 3, theseconnections include cooperating spur gears I24, I26, sprockets I28, I30connected by a chain I32 and sprockets I34, I36 connected by a chainI38. The driven sprocket I36 which is loosely. mounted upon the starwheel shaft I40 forms part of sepa disk I46 rotatable with butvertically slidab'le upon the shaft I40. A coil spring I46 normallyholds the disk I46 in operative engagement, to

drive the sprocket I36 but'if va jam occurs between the teeth of-thestar wheel and a con-.- tainer, the raised portion I45 will slip out ofthe notch I44 and lower the disk against the resistance of the springI48. mechanism may be provided for stopping the machine when the diskI46 is thus lowered and In addition, suitable such mechanism may includea switch indicated at I adapted to be operated to break a circuit to thedriving motor by the engagement of the underside of thedisk with aroller I62 carried by the switch arm I54.

Provision is made in the preferred embodiment of the invention forregistering successive con tainers, being delivered by the supplyconveyer I6, between the teeth 26 of the star wheel 22, so that in theevent a container arrives at the star wheel out of time with the latter,such container will beheldback nd not permitted to enter until the starwheel has rotated a suflicient distance to allow the container toregister between adjacent teeth 26. As herein shown, a roller I60carried by an arm I62, pivotally mounted upon a stud I64, is arranged toengage one side of the containers as the latter pass by. Normally, whilethe containers are delivered con.- tinuously and in timed relation, theroller I60 isheld out in the position shown in Fig. 1 to permitsuccessive containers to pass by. However, if the containers are not fedregularly or if there should be a space betweeen successive containers,the roller I60 is arranged to be rocked into the path of the oncomingcontainer and to be locked in this position until the star wheel is inposition to receive the container, such locked position beingillustrated in Fig. 10. As herein illustrated, the locking devicecomprises a latch member I 66 which is pivotally mounted upon a stud I68and which is arranged to engage a latch member I10 carried by the armI62 when the latter is rocked forwardly in the absence of a container. Aspring I12 extended between extensions from the arm I62 and the latchmember I66 serves to urge the latter into engagement with the arm I62and also to urge the arm I62 into the path of the oncoming containers.

The latch member I66 is arranged to be withdrawn from engagement withthe latch member I10 in timed relation to the movement of the star wheel22. in order to release a container at the proper time to be receivedbetween the teeth 26. As herein shown, the withdrawal of the latchmember I66 is accomplished through connections from a cam I14 fast uponthe star wheel shaft I 40. The cam I 14 cooperates with a cam roller I16carried by an arm I18 pivotally mounted at I80. The arm I18 is connectedby a link I82 to an arm I84 fast on the lower end of a vertical rockershaft I86. The upper end of the shaft I86 is provided with a second armI88 which is connected by a link I80 to one arm I92 of a bell crankpivotally mounted upon the stud I64. The second arm I94 of the bellcrank is arranged to engage a roller I96 carried by the latch memberI66. It will be observed that the cam I14 is provided with a pluralityof raised portions I15, equal in number to the teeth 26 of the starwheel and the relation of the parts is such that the latch member I66 isrocked each time a tooth 26 arrives in position to receive a container.It will be understood that during normal operating conditions, as whenthe containers are being continuously delivered in timed relation to bereceived by the star wheel, the arm I62 is held back by the engagementof the roller I60 with the containers so that the latch I66 will notengage the latch member I10 during such time. Although the member I66 isrocked by the cam I14 each time a container is due to arrive, suchrocking is effective to release the containers in timed relation onlywhen a container is late in arriving or is received out of time with therotation of the star wheel. Thus, a container is prevented from beingadvanced into a position such that a tooth 26 might jam against the sideof a container. However, should this condition occur such as in case thetiming mechanism is not properly adjusted, the separable drivingconnections I42, I45, as hereinbefore described, will be disconnected soas to prevent breakage of the containers or undue strain upon theoperating parts.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, provision is made forreleasing the driving mechfor the container feeding device in the eventof a jam in the feeding of the containers and for this purpose a clutchthrowout mechanism is provided as illustrated in Figs. 2, 8 and 9; Astherein shown, the clutch throwout mechanism includes the gearI=I4fhereinbefore referred to, and which is loosely mounted upon a hub200 extending from the driving gear II fixed upon the intermediate shaftII2. During the normal operation of the machine, the gear H4 is heldfast upon the hub 200 through the engagement of a spring actuated lever202 with a disk 204 secured to the end of the hub 200. The lever 202 ispivotally mounted upon a stud 206 fixed in the gear H4, and is providedwith a tooth 206' adapted to normally engage a notch 2I0 cut in the disk204, under the influence of a sprin 2 I2. Should there be anyobstruction in the path of the carrier arms 20 such as to stop themovement thereof, the gear II4 will come to rest and the disk 204, beingfast on the hub 200 will continue its rotation and cause the tooth 208to become disengaged from the notch 2 I0. When this occurs the lever 202will be rocked upwardly and, provision is made for automaticallydisengaging the main' driving clutch I04 at this time. As herein shown,the rocker shaft80 upon which the shifter I0-6,is fixed, is providedwith an arm 2I4 fast thereon. The arm 2I4 is provided with a roller 2I6which is arranged to engage a flange 2I8 forming part. of a collar 220slidingly mounted upon the intermediate shaft 2, The collar 220 isnormally urged, by a spring 222, in a direction such as to disengage theclutch mechanism I04, that is, to rock the shifter I06 clockwise viewingFig. 9. However, during the normal operation of the machine, when theclutch is engaged, the collar 220 is held back against the resistance ofthe spring 222 by engagement with a raised portion 224 provided on abifurcated member 226 pivot-ally mounted upon the lever 202. When thelever 202 is rocked, as above described, the member 226 will be raisedthereby permitting the collar 220 to slide to the right, see Fig. 9, andcause the clutch I04 to be disengaged. As herein shown, an auxiliarymechanism is provided to assist in pulling the collar 220 back to itsnormal position when it is desired to again engage the clutch, suchmechanism including a roller 228 carried by an arm 230 loosely mountedupon the rocker shaft 80, and a handle 232 fixed in the arm 230 which isarranged normally to rest against a stop member 234, see Fig. 2. Thus,when the clutch is thrown in, should the collar 220 bind upon the shaftI I2, the handle 232 may be raised .to rock the arm 230 and to force theroller 220' in a. direction to slide the collar 220 to the left asviewed in Figs. 2 and 9.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the containersare delivered into the machine in timed relation to be received bysuccessive carrier arms 20 of the continuously I relation to be receivedby the intermittentlyoperated conveyor l2. It will be observed that thecontainers are supported upon a bridge plate I95 and between guide railsI81, I09 as they are advanced from the supply conveyer I6 to theintermlttently operated conveyer I2.

Referring now to Figs. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the intermittently operatedconveyer I2 comprises a chain belt 240 arranged to run over an idlersprocket 242 and a driven sprocket 244, the latter being driven throughintermittently operating mechanism of known construction indicatedgenerally at 246, and illustrated in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. Theintermittent driving mechanism is arranged to be driven throughconnections from the main cam shaft III of the machine, and as hereinshown, a crank arm 246 fast on the end of the cam shaft, is connected bya link 250 to a seemental gear 252 pivotally mounted on a stud 254.

The segmental gear 2&2 meshes with a bevel pinion 256 loosely mountedupon a vertical shaft 258. A driver arm 260, formed integrally with thepinion 256, carries a spring actuated pawl 252 which is arranged tocooperate with notches 2&4 formedin a disk 2. The disk 266 is mountedfast upon the vertical shaft 258, so that in operation, when thesegmental gear 252 is rocked in a clockwise direction viewing Fig, 5,the pawl 252 engages one of the notches 264 and rotates the shaft 258one-half revolution. As herein shown, provision is made for locking thedriven disk 266 in place during the return stroke of the driver arm 260,such as the spring actuated pawl 268 pivotally mounted at 210 adapted toengage one of the notches 212 provided in a second disk 214 formedintegrally with the disk 256. The

pawl 266 is adapted to be removed from its notch 212 at the end of thereturn'stroke of the driver arm 260 by engagement of a roller 216,carried by the latter, with a cam surface 218 formed on an extensionfrom the pawl 268. A third spring actuated pawl 280 is also provided toprevent displacement counterclockwise, as clearly shown in Fig. 6. Theintermittently rotated vertical shaft 258 is connected by cooperatingbevel gears 262, 264 to the conveyer shaft 286 upon which the drivensprocket 244 is fixed.

From the description thus far it will be observed that the containersare delivered continuously in spaced relation upon the intermititentlydriven conveyer I 2, and as-hereinbefore stated, the driving mechanismis so designed that while the containers are being deliveredcontinuously yet they travel only one-half the speed at which they aretaken away by the intermittently operated conveyer. Since theintermittently operated conveyer I2 must start from rest, the latterconveyer will not advance the containers until it attains a speed equalto or greater than the rate of speed at which the containers are beingfed whereupon, as the speed of the intermittently operated conveyer I2is accelerated, the containers will be carried away from the feedingdevice at an increased rate of speed. Referring now to Fig. 1, thecontainers marked A, B, arrive in such position shortly after theintermittent conveyer I2 has started and at the instant the latter hasattained the speed of the containers being fed and during the half cyclein the operation of the machine while the conveyer is moving, thesecontainers A, B, will be moved a distance, for example, of ten inches,and will come to rest in the position of the containers which maycomprise a pair of aligning 'itainer marked E, being advanced by one ofthe arms 20, will have been moved a distance for example of five inches,into the position formerly occupied by container A. The container F willlikewise be adva nced five inches. Now. during the idle half cycle ofthe machine, that is, while the intermittent conveyer I2 is idle, thecontinuously moving containers will be advanced another five inches so.that container E will occupy the position formerly occupied by containerB, whereupon the intermittently operated conveyer will again pick up themovement of the containers to bring them into position for another cycleof operation. Thus, it will be seen that time in the operation of themachine, to provide in effect an escapement mechanism.

.A-s herein shown, the escapement mechanism includes a set of verticallymovable rails 323, 323 carried by a Ushaped bracket 330, a set ofstationary rails 332, 334 supported by the frame member 3l8, and a pairof vertically movable rails 338 carried by a U-shaped bracket 338. Thevertically movable rails are arranged to be raised and lowered throughconnections from a cam 340 mounted upon the main cam shaft ll-l whichconnections include a cooperating cam roller 342 carriedby'a cam lever344 which is the containers do not come to rest at any time during thefeeding operation. As illustrated in Fig. 1, provision may be made forcorrecting any slight inaccuracies in the spacing of the containera bymechanism indicated generally at 290, pads 292 mounted upon areciproca'ble slide bar 284. During the operation of the machine, whenthe containers come to rest at C, D, the pads 292 are 4 moved forward toalign the containers between the beveled edges 280 of the pads. Thecontainers are supported in back by yieldingly mounted pads 298 duringthis operation.

Referring now to Figs. 1-1 to 15, inclusive, provision is made in thepreferred embodiment of the invention, for applying pressure to the topsof the containers to support the same in their properly spaced relationas they travel through the machine and during the labeling operations.In general, the presser mechanism comprises an intermittently drivenchain 300 provided with individual presser pads 302, which are arrangedto register with the top of individual containers and to follow alongtherewith during their intermittent travel through the machine. Thechain 300 isarranged to run over sprockets 303,

' 303 and is driven in timed relation to the conveyer i3through'conneotions from the intermittently driven vertical shaft 238,including bevel gears 303, 308 the latter being fast upon the drivensprocket shaft 3l0, see Fig. 5. As hereinshown, the lower run of thechain is urged downwardly to present the presser pads 302 in yieldingengagement with the tops of the containers by an elongated rail 3l2. Therail 3i2 is urged downwardly by springs 3 it which are coiled aboutstuds 3 i3 slidingly retained in an elongated frame member 3i3, asclearly shown in Figs. 4 and 11.

In accordance with the present invention, provision is made forsimultaneously releasing two presser pads 302 upon the two containersbrought into alignment therewith by the container enaging arms 20.. Asillustrated in Figs. 11 and 12, each presser pad connection includes across bar 330 which is arranged to run along guide rails 32?, 323,a sthe chain starts on its lower run as shown at the extreme left in Fig.12. The guide rails 322, 323 are designed to raise the individualpresser members 302 above the level of the tops of the containers andprovision is made for retain ng the pads in their raised position until.at the proper time in the operation of the machine, two pads arereleased simultaneously to engage with the top of their respectivecontainers brought into alignment therewith.

In order to effect the release of two presser pads simultaneously, aseries of rails is provided, arranged at different levels, some of whichare adapted to be raised or lowered at the proper their respectivecontainers.

connected by a' link 346 to an arm 343 fast upon a rocker shaft 350. Thecam roller 342 is held against its cam 340 by a. spring 352. The rockershaft 350 is joumaled in'bearing members 354, 353 supported by the framemember 318. The brackets 330, 333 are carried upon the ends of similarlevers 358, 360, so that in the operation of the machine the verticallymovable rails are raised and lowered simultaneously.

In the operation of the above described escapement mechanism when thepresser members 302 come to rest at the end of one cycle of operation,they are suspended above the level of the tops of the containersslightly in advance of the position shown at I, II, in Fig. 1'2, and areheld in this position until the containers A, B, being advanced by thearms 20, as hereinbefore described, arrive in alignment therewith, atwhich time the chain 300 and the oonveyer i2 have started their movementand the containers have been picked up by the conveyer l2 so that thecontainers and the presser members are traveling at the same speed,whereupon the brackets 330, 338 are lowered through connections from thecam 340 to engage the presser members with The brackets 330, 338 areshown in their lowered position in Figs.

11 and 14 wherein the rails 328 and 338 are I tudinal fixed guide rail332, the presser pad connection Ibeing shown in such position in dotted,lines in Fig. 14. At this time, a succeeding presser pad connection IIIwill have passed over the upper rail 321i. and onto the stationary rail332 as indicated in dotted lines in'Fig. 14,-whereupon the cam 340operates to raise the movable nails so that they will again assume theposition shown in Fig. 12. As the cycle of movement continues, presserpad connection III will ride. onto the raised rail 336 and a succeedingpresser pad connection IV will ride off the rails322, 324 and onto theraised rail 328 whereupon the conveyers will come to rest, leaving thepresser pads suspended in the position previously occupied by I and II,ready to start a succeeding cycle of operation. From the abovedescription it will be observed that during one cycle of movement of theconveyor the pads I and II are moved oil. the lowered rails 328, 336 anda. succeeding set of pads III and IV are moved onto the rails 328, 336while the latter are in their raised position.

Provision is also made in the preferred embodiment of the invention forreleasing the containers from the pressure of the pads 302 when thecontainers arrive at the aligning station 290 as hereinbefore described.As herein shown, see

6 Figs. 11 and 15, the longitudinal guide rail i provided with twovertically movable sections 364, 366 upon which the presser members restwhen they arrive at the aligning station 263.

.The movable sections 364, 366 are supported upon the ends of verticalrods 368, 313 which are slidably mounted in the frame member M8. The

sitions A and B, the presser pads 332 are simultaneously released uponthese two containers and continue along with the latter to serve as asupport for the top of the containers during the ap-' plication of thelabels to the sides of the containers. The completely labeled containersare then discharged from the machine upon any suitable receiving tableor conveyer, not shown.

From the above description of the preferred embodiment of the invention,it will be observed that the present transferring device is adaptedto-feed the containers continuously to the inter mittently operatedlabeling mechanism and in accurately spaced relation to the labelapplying mechanism in a smooth and eflicient manner and at higher speedsthan has heretofore been possible, the present transferring device beingpartheir lowered position by coil springs'382, 384

which bear against collars 386, 388 fast upon the rods 363, 313respectively. The collars 386, 333 normally bear against a portion ofthe frame member 318 and may be adjusted on the rod to suspend theirindividual sections 364, 366 in alignment with the longitudinal guiderail 362. As herein shown, the movable sections are also arranged toreceive the longitudinal presser rail 3l2 to hold the latter down inyielding engagement with the top of the lower run of the chain 333 inthe operation of the machine.

In order to permit the longitudinal presser rail 3l2 to be raised withpresser members 332 at a point adjacent to the vertically movablesections 333, 338, extra long yieldingly mounted rods 333, 332 arepro'videdat this section of the conveyer. As herein shown, each rod isslidingly mounted in the frame member 3l8 and is yieldingly urged intoengagement with the rail M2 by a coil spring 334, which bears against acollar 336 fast upon each rod. The collar 336 normally rest against aportion of the frame member 3| 8. In operation, the end of each rodbears against the top of the rail 3l2 so that when the chain 333 israised by the vertically movable, sections-333, 338, the rods 333, 332will slide upwardly in the frame member 3| 8 against the resistance ofthe springs 334. The rail 3l2 may and preferably will be made of a thinspring steel material, sufficiently flexible so that it will readilybend from the raised position to the lowered position, as described.

Briefly, the operation of the machine is as follows: The containers l4,entering the machine upon the conveyer l6 are separated by the starwheel 22 in spaced relation, to be received by the arms 23 of thecontinuously moving carrier chain IS. The continuously moving conveyerl3 isarranged to move the containers in definite spaced relation forsubsequent labeling operations and at arate of speed equal to one-halfthe speed of the conveyer l2 and the speeds of travel 1 of the conveyersare so coordinated that two containers A and B, in Fig. 1, arrive insuch position just as the conveyer l2 starts to pick up the movement,whereupon the containers are conveyed at an increased rate of speed. Thesucceeding containers, E andF, being moved continuously during both themoving period and rest period in the preceding cycle of operation of theconveyer l2, are likewise picked up by thelatter conveyer when theyarriv at the position indicated at A and B. Thus the container are inmotion continuously during the feeding operation, merely being advancedat an increased rate when they arrive at positions A and B on theconveyer l2. When the container arrive at poticularly adapted forfeeding a plurality of containers simultaneously in such spacedrelation.

While the preferred embodiment of the inven-' tion has been hereinillustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention maybe embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims; I

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneousapplication of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at aplurality of labeling stations, in combination, conveying mechanism forconveying a plurality of containers into accurately registered positionwith relation to said labeling station including a continuously drivensupply conveyer adapted to sup port and convey a line of the containers,an intermittently driven conveyer for supporting and deliveringcontainers transferred thereon from said supply conveyer into operativeposition with respect to said labeling stations, and a continuouslyoperating indexing device having container engaging arms. arranged inpredetermined spaced relation and movable over said intermittently op- Ierated conveyer, whereby to engage and move containers along saidintermittent conveyer in the intervals between successive movements ofthe conveyer whereby to space said containers upon said intermittentconveyer a predetermined distance from one another, said intermittentlymovable conveyer being arranged to be moved at a speed a multiple of thespeed of movement of,

said container engaging members whereby to pick up the movement of thecontainers while the latter are being moved by said container engagingmembers to thereby transfer a plurality of said containers to saidlabeling stations in accurately positioned relation.

2. In a label applying machine of the type wherein a plurality of labelsare simultaneously applied to a plurality of containers at a pluralityof labeling stations, in combination, conveying means-for conveying thecontainers through the machine comprising a chain movable over the topof the containers, a conveyor upon which the containers are supported,means for pressing said chain against the top of the containersincluding a plurality of yieldingly mounted presser members disposed atspaced intervals along the length of the chain, and means forcontrolling the operation of a plurality of the presser memberscorresponding to the number of containers being simultaneously labeledto permit a plurality of the containers to pass .beneath the same priorto the movement of said plurality of presser members into operativeposition.

v 3, In alabeling machine having, in combina acontinuously operatingindexing device having container engaging arms arranged to extend inpredetermined spaced relation over said intermittently operatedconveyer, said container engaging arms being arranged to engagesuccessive containers being delivered by said supply conveyor and tomove them onto said intermittently operated conveyer, saidintermittently operated conveyer being arranged to pick up the movementof. successive containers while the latter are being moved by saidcontainer engaging. arms.

4. In a labeling machinehaving,incombination,

an intermittently operated. conveyer upon which .the containers aresupported and advanced to and from the labeling stations, and containerfeeding mechanism for supplying containers to said intermittentlyoperated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation for registration withsaid labeling stations, including a supply conveyer,

for the simultaneous application of a plurality of labelsto a pluralityof containers at a plurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanismfor conveying a plurality of containers into accurately registeredposition with relation to said labeling stations including anintermittently operated conveyer for supporting and deliveringcontainers transferred thereon into operative position with respect tosaid labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyer adapted todeliver. containers to said intermittently operated conveyer inpredetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to the intermittentmovement of said latter conveyer. 8. In a labeling machine of thecharacter described, having a plurality of spaced stations forperforming successive labeling operations, conveying mechanism forconveying. a plurality of containers into accurately registered positiona continuously operating indexing device having container engaging armsarranged in predetermined spaced relation, said container engagingarmsbeing arranged to engage successive containers being delivered bysaid supply conveyor and to move them onto said intermittently operatedconveyer, means for separating and releasing successive containers onthe Supply conveyer in timed relation to the movement of said containerengaging arms, said intermittently operated conveyer being arranged topick up the movement of successive containers while the latter are beingmoved by said container engaging arms:

5. In a labeling machine of the character described having a pluralityof spaced stations for performing successive labelingoperations,conveying mechanism for conveying a plurality of containers intoaccurately registered position with relation to said labeling stations,including an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting anddelivering containers transferred thereon into operative position withrespect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyeradapted to deliver containers to said intermittently operated conveyerin predetermined spaced relation and in timed relation to theintermittent movement of said latter conveyer.

6. In a labeling machine of the character described, having a pluralityof spaced stations for performing successive labeling operations,conveying mechanism for conveying aplurality of containers intoaccurately registered position with relation to said labeling stationsincluding an intermittently operated conveyer for supporting anddelivering containers transferred thereon into operative position withrespect to said labeling stations and a continuously operated conveyerhaving container engaging arms arranged in predetermined spaced relationand movable over said intermittently operated conveyer and adapted toengage and move containers along said latter conveyer a predetermineddistance from one another, said intermittently operated conveyer beingarranged to pick up the movement of the containers in suchspacedrelation during the moving period in the cycle of operation ofsaid intermittently operated conveyer.

'7, In a labeling machine of the type adapted with relation to saidlabeling stations including an intermittently operated conveyer forsupporting and delivering containers transferred thereoninto operativeposition with respect to said labeling stations and a continuouslyoperated conveyer having container engaging arms arranged inpredetermined spaced relation and movable over said intermittentlyoperated conveyer and adapted to engage and move containers along saidlatter'conveyer a predetermined distance from one another, saidintermittently operated conveyer being arranged t pick up the movementof the containers in such spaced relation during the moving period inthe cycle of operation of said intermittently operated conveyer, andmeans for releasing successive containers from a line thereof in timedrelation to the movement of said container engaging arms.

9.- In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneousapplication of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at aplurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanism for conveying aplurality of containers into accurately registered position withrelation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operatedconveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereoninto operative position with respect to said labeling stations and acontinuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver containers to saidintermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and intimed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyerwhereby said intermit tently operated conveyer may pick up the movementof the containers and convey them to said labeling stations inaccurately spaced relation.

10. In a labeling machine of the type adapted for the simultaneousapplication of a plurality of labels to a plurality of containers at aplurality of labeling stations, conveying mechanism for conveying aplurality of containers into accurately registered position withrelation to said labeling stations including an intermittently operatedconveyer for supporting and delivering containers transferred thereoninto operative position with respect to said labeling stations and acontinuously operated conveyer adapted to deliver containers to saidintermittently operated conveyer in predetermined spaced relation and intimed relation to the intermittent movement of said latter conveyer, andmeans for supporting the top of said containers during their traveltoand from said labeling stations comprising an intermittently operatedchain, a plurality of presser members disposed at spaced intervals alongthe length of the ehain adapted to engage and move along with the top ofthe containers, means for retaining a plurality of the praser members ina raised positionabove the top of the containers wl iile the latter arebeing fed into position, and means for simultaneously 5 intermittentlyoperated conveyer.

ARTHUR CLARENCE

